Oral QuestionMinistry of Justice

Whether he plans to proceed with the legislative proposals in the Courts and Tribunals Bill to restrict trial by jury.

Tabled: 9 September 2026Answered: 15 September 2026

Asked by

Dr Neil Shastri-Hurst

ConservativeSolihull West and Shirley

Answering Minister

the Secretary of State for Justice

Answer from Hansard

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Lilian Greenwood)

This Government are empowering every community to take back control of their local bus services. Legislation on bus franchising requires local authorities to consider small and medium-sized enterprises as part of the franchising process. We are working with those interested in pursuing franchising to develop different models, including smaller-scale models, which require less financial commitment and provide more opportunities for small and medium-sized bus operators to participate.